Attorney General files suit against Muscatine company

Iowa’s Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against an eastern Iowa-based company that he says is misrepresenting the business opportunity it provides to customers. A-G Tom Miller says the company called Profit Alliance Incorporated of Muscatine promises people they can make a six-figure income.

Miller says they offer people a business opportunity where the people contract with small businesses to look the company’s business operations and find ways to save the company money. Miller says Profit Alliance says it will split the savings gained for the business with their contract person and the company — but there’s a catch.

Miller says you first have to pay a fee to buy into the Profit Alliance program to make any money. He says in most cases, people have to pay 10-thousand dollars, and Profit Alliance claims they have a staff of 37 C-P-A’s, and over 200 business professionals who are a resource to help find savings for the clients. Miller says the state alleges the company doesn’t have any of that staff.

Miller also those who contract with Profit Alliance and line up businesses, find it hard to make any money.Miller says the process tends to go slow and is not very productive, and then people tend to give up and leave behind their $10,000.

Miller says the company makes several other claims it cannot back up. The company is run by Johnathan Ahlf and Kristen Lain Ahlf. Miller is asking for a temporary, then permanent injunction against the company along with repayment and damages. Miller says they’ve had at least five complaints from people outside the state that bought into the plan.